Strong Rural Communities

Defra no longer have a responsibility to Government for sustainable Rural Communities. Instead they have a Departmental Strategic Objective (DSO) which sets their objectives for Strong Rural Communities.  This DSO will be monitored by Defra within the mainstreamed agenda across all Government departments within the new Sub National Review and LSP/LAA processes.

The RAF has two parallel interests firstly to support Defra in ensuring the Strong Rural Community concept is taken on board and monitored in the SNR but particularly by the LSPs and secondly to press Defra to ensure other Government Departments are aware of the Strong Rural Community message.  

We have created this special section of the website to keep you informed of these vital processes.

Defra publishes the way it intends to monitor its DSO  on delivering Stronger Rural Communities.
A must read for all involved in rural matters.  There is an introduction by Ron Scrutton 

The Rural Advocate Stuart Burgess has delivered his advice to the Prime Minister.
It was requested by the PM following the floods and the Foot and Mouth last autumn and was to cover strengthening rural economies. It contains some interesting recommendations as well as a good raft of evidence. Read the advice to the PM  

Setting the Scene
The Defra Secretary of State Mr Hilary Benn set out his views on the departments updated position on sustainable communities at the 80/20 Vision Conference in York.  He has since written to the RAFs and his letter is attached reiterating those views.

The Defra Select Committee 
This committee has refocused and recommenced its enquiry into Defra”s rural community  policy and how it is working.  We will post evidence as they take it.

Defra Select Committee verbal evidence from RELU (Prof Neil Ward) and from CRC 

I understand the committee may visit the region to take evidence.  We will report if and when this occurs. 

Committee now taken verbal evidence from the Local Govt Association and from Regional Development Agencies.